Student Rights

The Pennsylvania State University has a clear standard of conduct to protect the rights of members of the University community. These standards are expressed in the Student Code of Conduct. The Office of Student Conduct is responsible for conducting University judicial proceedings for students when it is alleged that a violation of the Student Code of Conduct has occurred.

The Student Code of Conduct does not replace or relieve any requirement of civil or criminal law. This means that victims may bring complaints to the Office of Student Conduct and also file criminal or civil complaints. Victims are encouraged to report violations of law to proper authorities on or off campus.

The Office of Student Conduct is committed to the safety and well-being of all its community members. We strive to create an environment that is free of acts of violence, harassment, and infringement of rights of privacy and property. The Office of Student Conduct is one of many service offices in the University community that assists students, whether an accused student or victim of an incident. As a staff, we will support students by assisting them in identifying resources which, based on personal needs, will further support them throughout the disciplinary process.

Victim Rights

If someone has been a victim of a student’s misconduct, that person may file an incident report with OSC. OSC can assist victims in accessing services on campus or in the community to support them through the experience. A victim may have the opportunity to be involved as a witness or as an equal partner in any conduct process that develops as a result of the complaint.

Rights for Respondents

Students who are accused of a violation have rights too. It is not assumed that a verbal or written report is accurate or an exact account of behavior. Because of this, the staff in the Office of Student Conduct will meet with each student who has been accused of a violation of the Student Code of Conduct. During this Disciplinary Conference, the student and staff member will discuss the alleged violation. A large part of the conduct process involves fact-finding and presenting the opportunity for students to respond to allegations of misconduct. The Office of Student Conduct will provide an opportunity for this to happen in a respectful, equitable and expeditious manner.